Kevin Bronson on June 11th, 2012

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John Atzberger sounds like man caught between times and places. As Olentangy John, he embraces the timeless simplicity and unvarnished earnestness of many of his co-conspirators in Los Angeles’ “new folk” movement while meting out shadowy songs with a postmodern conscience. He’s from Ohio, channels Appalachia and calls L.A. home (although he’s moving soon), a dichotomy that perhaps gives the songs on his forthcoming album “Doggerel” an almost-claustrophobic intensity. They offer shelter, maybe as much for the songwriter and his intended audience. Atzberger, who plays banjo, guitar, mandolin and fiddle, recorded “Doggerel” at home last fall; it will come out on Trailer Fire Records, which has released music by Amanda Jo Williams and the Driftwood Singers, among others.

||| Stream: “Angry Little Town Pt. I”:

||| Live: Olentangy John joins Tenlons Fort, Frank Lenz and Xander Smith at Buzz Bands LA’s monthly SecondTuesday songwriter night at Lot 1 Cafe.